Moving to Luxembourg from the USA

Luxembourg is a landlocked country, which shapes how a household move actually gets there: containers land at the port of Antwerp in Belgium, then move overland to their final address. As part of our international household moving services, SDC International Shipping handles this routing directly, along with the customs paperwork Luxembourg requires for a duty-free household goods import.

Shipping Options to Luxembourg

A full container load (20 or 40 foot) suits most full household moves, while LCL, a shared container arrangement, works well for smaller shipments at a lower cost but with less scheduling flexibility. Ocean freight transit to Antwerp typically runs 8 to 10 days for FCL, with LCL taking somewhat longer depending on consolidation schedules, before overland transport completes the trip to your address in Luxembourg. Air freight is available for urgent or time-sensitive shipments, arriving considerably faster than ocean freight, though at a higher cost per cubic foot. It tends to make the most sense for a small selection of essential items rather than a full household, with the bulk of your belongings following by sea.

For fragile or high-value items, specialized handling applies. Pianos require dedicated crews and custom rigging for safe loading, and artwork or antiques are individually crated with climate-appropriate materials for the transatlantic crossing before the overland leg to Luxembourg.

Customs and Duty-Free Import

Household goods can typically enter Luxembourg duty-free if you have owned and used the items for at least six months and have resided outside Luxembourg for the past 12 months. Your shipment generally needs to arrive within 12 months of your own arrival in the country to qualify. Some items may still be subject to tax regardless of these conditions. Required documents typically include the bill of lading, passport, Declaration 136F, a Type D visa, a complete packing list, and a Declaration of Arrival filed within three business days of your arrival. The Luxembourg Customs Office publishes current requirements if you want to confirm specifics for your situation.

An accurate, itemized packing list is the single most important document in this process. Customs reviewers match your inventory against what is physically in the container, so vague descriptions or mismatched counts are the most common source of delay. We build this inventory as part of the packing process rather than asking you to assemble it separately after the fact.

Shipping a Vehicle to Luxembourg

Vehicles can generally enter duty-free if purchased more than six months prior and showing at least 6,000 km on the odometer. A vehicle imported duty-free cannot be sold or have ownership changed for 12 months afterward. Typical paperwork includes the title and driver’s license, proof of insurance, international insurance coverage, a COM4 Declaration, a T-form for moving the vehicle within the EU, and employment proof from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is not an exhaustive list, and specific requirements can shift, so we confirm your documentation needs directly before the container ships.

Where Expats Settle

Oesling and Guttland are the two regions where most expats settle, and we deliver door-to-door to Luxembourg City as well as smaller towns including Differdange, Diekirch, Dudelange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Echternach, Ettelbruck, Rumelange, Vianden, and Wiltz.

Cost of Moving to Luxembourg

Your quote depends on shipment volume, origin, the specific services you need, and destination within Luxembourg. A shipment from New York and one from San Francisco will price differently even with identical services, largely due to inland transportation to the origin port. We provide a full breakdown rather than a single estimated figure so you know what you are actually paying for.

Booking further ahead generally works in your favor on this corridor. Because every container ultimately routes through Antwerp before the overland leg to Luxembourg, earlier planning gives us more flexibility on sailing schedules and reduces the odds of your shipment landing during a period of heavier port traffic.

Other services available for this move include storage, packing, and international moving insurance, including coverage for high-value items like artwork or pianos where specialized crating applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole move take, not just transit?
Door-to-door, including origin packing, ocean transit to Antwerp, overland delivery, and customs clearance, most moves take several weeks from pickup to final delivery. Your coordinator can give a route-specific estimate once your inventory and origin are confirmed.

Do I need to be a Luxembourg resident to import duty-free?
Duty-free import generally requires having lived outside Luxembourg for the prior 12 months and owning your goods for at least six months. Confirming your specific visa and residency status against these conditions before shipping helps avoid an unexpected duty assessment.

Can I ship a vehicle and household goods together?
Yes, a vehicle can typically travel in the same container as your household goods, which is usually more efficient than arranging separate shipments. Confirm your vehicle’s eligibility and paperwork with your coordinator before packing day, since the odometer and ownership requirements are checked separately from your household goods documentation.

Call 877-339-0267 to schedule a home survey, or request a quote to get started on your move to Luxembourg.